Terrier Hekia kept up the pace, fast going forward down all the pathways.

English Bill pricked up his nose and his ears, insisting that in conclusion under Cheery McWavy's leadership, together with hardworking families and businesses we have steered the economy through some of the most significant challenges we've seen in generations, putting us on track to surplus next year.

Cheery McWavy scampered off south, past the heifers and lardos to Government House.

But no sooner had McWavy woofed, "Friends, follow me!" a litter of runts trapped him in Lambton Quay.

"You are arrogant, dishonest, sneery and vain," said a voice down the road from Kirkcaldie & Stains.

Toby Manhire is a Wellington bred, Auckland based journalist. He writes a weekly column for the NZ Herald, the NZ Listener's Internaut column, blogs for listener.co.nz, and contributes to the Guardian.
From 2000 to 2010 he worked at the Guardian in London, and edited the 2012 book The Arab Spring: Rebellion, Revolution and a New World Order.